But a very strong heart. I was in rehab for two weeks and then VNA came to the house for physical and occupational therapy. Sorry to hear about your post operative pains, but its a relief as well.Im 8months last the same operation as you (with an unexpected bypass as well during the op) and have a number of pains I keep assuming its the scar and nerves and nothing more serious. There are other battles I contend with, but mostly I feel blessed by God Almighty to have this second chance. This is why many operating rooms feature padded surgical tables. Please do not ignore any signs. I could copy and paste a lot of your post op results. Im 52yo.never smoked. My cardio told me it was scar tissue and that arthritis has probably set up. The result of this was that where was no pressing need for an op at this time (this was exactly a year ago in June 2019) I was then booked for 6 monthly checks. The most common symptoms of nerve damage after surgery are usually numbness, tingling, burning, muscle weakness or atrophy. I grew frustrated in May 2019 after my annual physical ( which was good except for high cholesterol), when my legs, ankles and feet started to swell and I began to have pain in my legs that radiated up to my chest when walking. Everything I eat matters. See below for the nerve-related side effects of several common procedures: There are a few tests to consider if you or your doctor suspect nerve damage after surgery: This is an electrical test of the nerves function. But, that will pass as I get stronger. My faith keeps me going; my family encourages me with their support; and my own determination to get better helps me tremendously when those nagging moments of doubt start creeping in. I found it very interesting to read the comments and questions above. Since I quit smoking also my taste buds have woken up. Surgery on 8th April, 2019. My BP medication was tweaked to minimize the possibility of hypotension and I have not had a significant presyncope in a few weeks, but the foggy head and feeling of light-headedness continue. But when University of Toronto cardiac surgeon Dr. Bobby Yanagawa pondered the same question online recently, he received a surprisingly wide . This is known as neurapraxia. sensitivity (to the touch) reduced . Maybe its the heat in the south but I cant seem to breathe and I tire so easily it hurts. Have others experienced similar issues. First time was a quick recovery, but I was also 49. I jogged about 1/4 of a mile three days ago. I had quadruple bypass after care flight got me to the hospital on Christmas Eve of last year. However, newer nonsurgical nerve repair techniques may be able to help. Hair loss, a side effect of hysterectomy, we may see when there is heavy bleeding or prolonged pressure on the scalp during surgery. Bev. Thanks all for sharing your experiences and all the best and speedy recovery, please share if any one experienced no pain after few months/ years. Talk to your Dr. And see if you REALLY need all the drugs. I am 55 years old and 2 weeks post triple bypass surgery and struggling to stay positive. ER 2x in first 4 months from fear mostly. Thank you to the doctors & nursing staff for their diligent work at the hospital & saving my life-forever grateful. Linda. I had the gut feeling that it was my heart, but doctors insisted that it couldnt be. I have to keep my head above water & just keep trying to move forward regardless of how slow that may be. Yes, Tissue valve last for 10 to 15 years. Prior to this, I was walking 50 minutes a day. Hi Vanna, Read my story above, just posted now. 2012;59(1):2227. Just to add: they gave me cocodamo tablets as pain killers to have at home. I know it is a difficult surgery but many of us would not still be here without it. But still i feel little bit of energy lost during the day and i keep taking Vitamin C to reboot. This is to be expected. The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. Overall, I feel pretty good and it seems the more exercise I get, the better I feel. Think of a nerve as a garden hose. Initially I experienced all the usual side effects of OHS and over time regained strength and stamina. I am six months 12 days out. Yes we may never be the same again we all of us appreciate life a lot more. but i really do not feel like a normal person of my surgery. I am grateful for the surgery and to be alive, but the recovery is a royal pain in the butt. Family hx of cardiac disease (his dad died of a massive heart attack at age 65), so hed been seeing a cardiologist since he was 50, taking prescribed meds, exercising, etc. Many patients will experience some amount of numbness and tingling as part of the recovery process. I dont feel quite so alone reading your stories. Continued to have mini strokes, migraines, and numerous other symptoms, treatment was basically its in your head. I didnt feel any pain or tightness as I was raking but a couple of days after I feel tightness across my chest. Saw Dr yesterday. This has been an interesting journey. It is common for tiredness to last for months after treatment is over. I am six weeks out from OHS, and find that I while I feel somewhat better than I did six months prior to diagnosis and surgery, I still have some issues. Neuroreport. The area immediately around an incision (the surgical cut) is often numb after surgery. mostly as a precaution. Thanks so much for any advice . 3. Had to go to A&E because my pulse rate got over 100 .. normally, prior to OHS, at 50 sitting at rest doing sudoku or tv watching. He finally called me through facebook video chat on the 3rd day, he texted me hi, on the first day. I think the worst days are behind me but as you all know the beginning is very tuff. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Exercising by treadmill walking (3-3.5 Miles) 3 or 4 days each week in addition to 4 days/week rehab. There is no real resting periods,with a constant stream up to +50 per day of various members of the Medical teams continually interrupting you just as you are able to doze off or want to go to the toilet..Am sure it is a strategy to make you want to leave the Hospital to find somewhere to be left alone & in peace..(home)..Very simple things become complex, with the staff all seeming to come up with different answers..Being thrown a new list of medications,instructions etc,without any real understanding of same is thrown at you on your way out..the last 2 days & departure day, were the most frustrating. I feel healthy, Im still active and I have no symptoms. And called me on the second day, and I can see he is also not too too well alone, due to covid19. He lives in a fog. What with coping with the sternum pain as well, it was very painful. She no longer wears the brace, has gotten sensation back, and has limited pain. Although my rehab was cancelled due to the current coronavirus lockdown, the nurse informs me that had things been normal that I would have received physio as part of the rehab. I don't even know what everything on my las TEE means, and I have a nursing background. Thanks everyone for all of your comments. sternum pain Numbness and tingling in hands and aching in left hip when I sleep on my left side sternum separation Unexplained pain/discomfort under sternum Pain after open heart surgery removal of sternum Chest still hurts four months after the heart . Several benign but painful conditions can develop inside your breast milk ducts. Sudden numbness or weakness in arms or legs; One sided facial droop or slurring of words; Sudden, severe headache; . Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. I had triple bypass 5 months ago and was also put on Metoprolol. He sleeps a lot. Must say I fell very good physically. Can't say whether the voltaren (aka voltarol in Europe) will help but it certainly makes the massage less abrasive to the skin! Anyone out there have this problem? So, thank you everyone for sharing your stories! She told me maybe I should see an. I went to my neighbours who offered to help, organised my funeral, someone to take my dog, clean my unit and give all my stuff to charity. I thought my low fat diet was the culprit and started eating little more oily foods. Last year I was involved in a car accident which resulted in a left shoulder injury. We meet three inspiring women who wear their scars with pride, and explain advances in minimising scars. Thank you so much for sharing. The surgery involves taking a healthy blood vessel from the chest or leg area. Doing it this way ensures that they don't cut through any chest muscle, so this normally ensures that normally the only pain is from the incision. Fast heart rate that didnt slow down for hours, and two days of discomfort in my chest. Hi all, i wish all and everyone are healthy and overcome this troublesome soon. Coronary artery bypass surgery creates a new path for blood to flow around a blocked or partially blocked artery in the heart. It will also help you sleep better. Wow! Thank you all. Tylenol and heating pad help but not greatly. I had triple bypass the end of November and am looking at going back to work in a couple weeks. My dr has prescribed me inhalers but they dont help much. My partner in in the hospital as well. I made it home on 14% heart function. After a little over 2 months. Some Pleural Effusion (L) Lung reappeared after the Surgery. Two days ago my GP cleared me to go back to the Gym. I How long is the sternum usually sore after open heart surgery? My husband had an aortic heart valve replacement 7 years ago due to a bicuspid valve. Please stay positive. Only those of us who have gone through OHS can understand the myriad of issues/emotions that we are going through, so I am very thankful for this blog/discussion. I was taken off the Vent 1 day post op and then had to be put back on the Vent for 7 days. It's common after heart surgery to be sad or blue, but these feelings should pass after the first few weeks. I check my blood every 15 days once (PT INR). So last evening I started online research as I was having yet another episode and found this blog. Like I said, three weeks ago I considered myself on deaths door I couldnt breathe day or night I was critically ill and dying fast. I would love to know if you are still having this problem..and if so, what is it like now?. I was thinking I should be perfectly healed and feeling great by now but still get tired very easily, incision site still hurts, my heart pounds and knocks (getting better tho), stamina is low and my mood is low, especially in the AM. I have been told get used to it that is what often happens after open heart surgery. So glad to see this page! Its very hard to make myself slow down, but pushing yourself too far has no benefits. it has been twenty weeks ? Hoping it goes away soon. If you were on your side during the surgery with your arm stretched out over your head your shoulder may have been injured. All the articles I can find say I should be past pain and just fine by now! Trying to stay positive throughout this whole process has seemed to be one of the most helpful factors in my recovery. Hey all. I have done remarkably well almost 2.5/weeks post op. Obviously, since the scar tissue was caused by surgery, using surgery to get rid of it can be a problem. J Arthroplasty. Hi Teresa, If you think your genetics is also causing high cholesterol, we are here to help! Hang in there everyoneit gets a little better every day. sudden numbness or weakness in arms or leg sudden, severe headache Acute gout flare-up elevated temperature more than 100.0 f or 38.0 c two times within 24 hours Let me know if you learn anything more about it. I had quadruple bypass surgery on May 24, 2018 and am back to work, although my incisions are still in the process of healing. Blessings to all! Talked to my cardiologist who wasnt concerned but I know Im not the only person to experience this and he didnt say it happens after bypass surgery sometimes. University of Rochester Medical Center. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Asthma but no heart issues previous to this. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Cause of breathless was hearts LVF % was very low 15% just. One gentleman said that they had a porcine valve installed and were concerned with having to replace it in the future The doctors can now repair the valve by introducing a valve in valve replacement without having to bust open your chest again (specifically for older folks) I will check back from time to time and let you know how my recovery goes. chest never felt like ribs were cracked. So the not so good. I have good days and bad days but I feel like Im never going to get back to normal. It has been great reading everyones progress after OHS. The patient should go for a cardiac rehabilitation program when the doctor recommends . I am 11 weeks out of OHS. I am having trouble with. Causes. It definitely can take a LONG time to feel fully recovered. Three weeks ago I was so sick (renal failure, angina and chest pain) I cancelled a legal action against a Hospital and got my deposit back from Solicitors trust account to pay for my funeral. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. I dont know if its better to extend life when the quality is this poor. My Cardio said it was nerve endings healing. After a load of scans, my doctor spotted I had an enlarged heart. The new normal. Really depressed. 2019;11(4):620627. I dont know how to live with this. Heart condition greatly improved and am running on a treadmill several miles after stationary bike ride for an hour. Sure, what does he care, he's never had one! The biggest downside is depression. For 6 weeks i did remarkably well. Feeling tired most of he time, sleeping is problematic but refuse to give in to that. Midterm followup occurred between 13 and 21 months after surgery. when i finally fall asleep i would gasp for breath so fear got into me when is wanted to sleep. 90 days now, I walk 5 days a week 30 mins each time, eat normally but frugally and have dropped table sugars, potatoes, rice, processed food, alcohol ( not touched booze since Feb 12) generally trying to take this fresh gift of life with care and caution. I am still very sore, easily fatigued and struggle with sleeping. Glad I found this page as I see many similarities across the posts. I have started back working out, but sometimes I do still have pain in my chest, it feels like tight in the middle of my chest, I would like to know how long i will feel this discomfort. Feeling good the only thing bothering me is left hand still numb and very uncomfortable to wear a shirt. But I will say. There has been some huge progress since the surgery but it seems like there is a long way to go. 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